A few years ago, the idea of giving up your land line and using a mobile phone exclusively might have seemed ridiculous. These days, mobile phones are more affordable than ever, and sometimes mobile phones can even be less expensive than using a land line. If you have been contemplating making your mobile phone your only phone, consider the following information before making the switch.
How much do you use your landline?
It may seem like you never take calls at home anymore, but you’re probably talking on your home phone more than you realize. Before switching to a mobile phone only, take a month to find out how much time you spend talking on your landline. Put a pad of paper next to your home phone and make a note of when and how long you use it. Be sure to include incoming calls, even if they are only answered by your voice mail or answering machine since most mobile phone plans charge for all calls, even incoming ones. At the end of the month, total up the minutes you spent talking on the phone. If you are going to switch to a mobile phone only, you’ll need a plan that includes roughly the amount a minutes you spent talking on your home phone plus the minutes you spent talking on your mobile phone every month.
Can you afford a mobile plan with enough minutes?
You will probably be surprised at how much time you spend on the phone in a month. If you have a budget mobile phone or an inexpensive line rental, you’ll probably need to upgrade to a deluxe mobile plan to get the amount of minutes you’ll need. For example, if you are using a free line rental plan, you probably only get between 300-400 minutes a month. If you are going to make your mobile phone your only phone, you’ll likely need at least twice that amount. A 1000 minute plan will cost you between £400-500 a year if you use an online mobile phone comparison site to get the best deals. If your landline and your mobile phone bills combined cost less than £500, you’re probably better off keeping two phones. However, many people can actually save money by switching to a mobile phone only.
How many people use your landline?
Getting rid of your landline is more practical if you are the only person who uses it. If you have a large family, you’ll find yourself answering calls for other people if you are using a mobile phone only. Some mobile phone service providers offer family share plans, but they usually don’t include enough minutes to replace a landline. However, it is feasible for two people to share a mobile phone plan without using a landline. If both people are contributing to the monthly mobile phone line rental fee, this arrangement can be economical.
Benefits of using a mobile phone only
If you find that it makes budgetary sense for you to get rid of your home phone, you’ll be happy to learn there are some great benefits to using a mobile phone only. Since you are probably going to be getting a more expensive mobile phone plan, you can look for wonderful offers from mobile phone comparison sites. Take advantage of plans that offer free mobile phones, discounted line rental, free gifts, and large calling areas. Since you’ll be using your mobile phone for long-distance calls as well as local ones, make sure you get a plan that has low long-distance fees or an expanded coverage area. Of course, using a mobile phone exclusively means that you can talk whenever you need to. If you are smart, you can get a plan that includes free night or weekend minutes and arrange most of your personal calls during that time. Some plans also offer free mobile to mobile minutes which are especially helpful if you are sharing your mobile service with someone else.
Problems with using a mobile phone as your only phone
Even if the cost ends up being lower, there are a few downsides to using your mobile phone as your only phone. Having a phone with you at all times is both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes you will be bothered with calls you don’t want to take. Fortunately, many mobile phone plans come with caller ID and voice messaging. Sadly, you’ll be charged for all your phone use, even if someone else is calling you, so you may find that you can’t talk as long as you could on your landline unless you do it an inconvenient times like late at night or on the weekend. Constantly using your mobile phone also causes more wear and tear than splitting talk time with a landline. Using a mobile phone exclusively means that your phone will take a lot more abuse. Of course, if you misplace your mobile phone, you’re stuck without any phone service until you find it.
Making the Switch
Using a mobile phone exclusively is easier now than ever before, but there is still a lot to consider before making the switch. Instead of giving up your landline on a whim, take at least a month or two to assess your needs and ensure that you are making the right decision. If you do decide to go to a mobile phone only, look for the best possible deals on mobile phone comparison sites as you won’t be able to get out of a contract for at least a year. Some providers may even offer special packages for people who plan on using mobile phones exclusively. If your circumstances are right, switching to a mobile phone only may be the perfect solution to you communication needs.
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